Fig. 53. Coracle-shaped “seed" of Melica nutans, showing the broad, ribbed and keeled palea (c), and small rachilla (d). a, the “seed," nat. size; c and d, ditto, × 8; b, the caryopsis, nat. size; e and f, ditto, × 10. Nobbe.
M. uniflora, Retz. is commoner and very similar, but neither is often met with in “seed" grass, except as impurities among Fescues.
The rare Panicum Crus-galli and allies, and the rice-like Leersia oryzoides as well as Cynodon Dactylon, come here.
Panicums may occur in grass “seed" from America: Burchard describes them in detail.
II. “Seed" long (Corn and Barley type). Caryopsis oblong or flattened, usually trapped between the boat-shaped paleæ: if otherwise, with an awn.
A. “Seed" awnless. There may be a short sharp point to the palea (mucronate), but no prominent hair-or bristle-awn exceeding half the length of the palea.
(a) A “web" or tuft of hairs at the base or on the rachilla.
(1) Hairs of basal tuft silky and erect.
✲ Pencil of hairs as long as palea or longer.
Calamagrostis lanceolata, Roth.
Palea 3 mm. long, thin, two-toothed and with a short bristle at the apex.
Other species of Calamagrostis are awned. None occurs as an ordinary impurity in “seed."